Secondary feed and moistening device for hectograph duplicating machines



1952 R. M. FORD 2,587,455

' SECONDARY FEED AND MOISTENING DEVICE FOR HECTOGRAPH DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed July 8, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 26, 1952 R. M. FORD SECONDARY FEED AND MOISTENING DEVICE FOR HECTOGRAPH DUPLICATING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 8, 1950 Pic-.21

Q) a "11 [W INvENTOQ: i M M q-ord 9/11,; Arr i FeB. 26, 1952 R M FORD 22,587,455

SECONDARY FEED AND MO ISTJENING DEVICE FOR HECTOGRAPH DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed July 8, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR MM/M Feb. 26, 1952 R M FORD 2,587,455 M SECONDARY FEED AND MOIISTIENING DEVICE FOR HECTOGRAPH DUPLICATING MACHINES Filed July 8, 1950 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 $34M, OWMM Feb. 26, 1952 R. M. FORD SECONDARY FEED AND MOISTENING DEVICE FOR HECTOGRAPH DUPLICATING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 8, 1950 INVENmR;

6V 4 Jmr d MM MM Arr S Patented Feb. 26, 1952 SECONDARY ma m) MOISTENING DE- VICE FOR HEGTQGRAPH DUPLICATmG MACHINES Ronald Max Ford, Sparkbrook, Birmingham,

' England i Application July 8, 1950, Serial No..172,664 In Great Britain Octoberll), 19,49

' Claims. (Cl; 101-1325) This-invention relates to a duplicating machine of the kind having a frame in which islm'o'unted a cylinder to which is secured a, master sheet" having the matter to be reproduced in reverse,

- the machine also comprising moistening means for thecdpy sheets, a-feed tray for the copy sheets and a, pressure roller to press the mois tened copy sheets into contact with the master whenthe cylinder is revolved.

In such machines it is usual to attach the master to the cylinder by meansof a clip on the cylinder, and'it is necessary atstarting that this clip shall occupy a. definite position in relation n of a spring-loaded lever having a roller which drops into engagement with a notch in the periphery of a flange rotating with the cylinder.

It is known in connection with such machines to provide for sheet reproduction, i. e. for re-,

producingthe full width of the sheeton the master.

Itis also known to provide a master which when secured to the cylinder has its lines running circumferentially, and in connection with these machines it is known toprovide the* machine with a plurality of feed-in trays each of v a widthconsiderably less than the. length of the cylinder and to provide for the adjustment of these feed-in trays parallel tothe length of the cylinder so that portions of thematter on the master sheet can be reproduced.

A machine of, this-kind is disclosed in my prior U. SJA. application No. 103,933, filed July 9,

1949'; this machine comprising a plurality of; feed trays ool-operating with a single cylinder-,Qthe trays; being. so disposed that the copy sheets guided by one tray or set of trays are delivered to; the cylinder at one position, and copy sheets guided by the other tray or, set of trays are deliveredzto the cylinder at a second position,

which is angularlyspaced from the first position,

the two positions being circumferentially spaced around the cylinder, and one tray or set of trays being. used for secondary reproduction, i. e. re-

production of a part only of the matter on the master sheet, and the other tray being" used for reproduction of all the: matter on the master sheet, means being provided whereby the angular position of the cylinder can be changed. intelation to. registration stop means, providing one registration position when one tray or set of trays are in use, and another registration position for use when the other tray is in use.

In this machine the or each secondary tray is rovided with a pressure roller acting on the cylinder, and means are provided for moving the or each secondary tray to bring its pressure roller. out of contact with the cylinder at the registration position of the cylinder.

The machine also includes means for auto-. matically moving one of the set of secondary trays laterally with a step-by-step movement so that successive sheets-fed over the tray will receive matter occurringin adjacent lines on the master sheet.

The objectof the present invention is to provide an improved and simplified construction and arrangement of parts, in this kind of machine, for the purpose of secondary reproduction, i. e. reproduction of' a part only of the matter on the master sheet.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view looking on one side of the machine;

Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 6';

Figures 3- and 3a are plan views of the machine;

Figure 4 is a detail view in front elevation showing a part of the machine;

Figure 5 is' a fragmentary plan viewshowing the tooth on the lever which co-operates with theracks; and

Figure 6 is a section on the line 67-45 of Figure 3.

In: the construction illustrated the side frame "members In, cylinder 1. I; cylinder shaft 12, and

- the tray andpressure roller for sheet reproduction; are in. accordance with the prior specifications referred to The means, indicated generally at l3, for adjusting the cylinder around its axis" in relation to the registration stop meansarezalso constructed and arranged in accordance with the prior invention. 1

; Further, two secondary trays l4 and it are provided both of which are adjustable laterally, and the tray. [4 may be adjusted automatically with a sllfip-by-step motion, the means for effectin-g this incorporating a fixed rack. I 6 and a reciprocating rack l 'loperatingin the same mannor as the corresponding parts disclosed in the prior specification. v

In the present construction the, supports 20 V of thesecondarytrays are each provided with a bracket l8 which is mounted on a bar l9 con- 'necting the side member IU of the frame, and each of these supports is provided with a bracket 2| at the rearward end carrying a pressure roller 22 which can be moved into contact with the master sheet on the cylinder. In'the present construction the tray supports are rocked around the axis of the bar I9 to efiect this movement which is produced by an oscillating shaft 23 having a flat 24 which engages the underside of a lever 25 pivoted at 26 to a bracket 21 on the underside of the tray support. A compression spring 28 is provided acting between each lever 25 and the underside of the tray support.

Further, each of the supports for an auxiliary tray is provided with a damping member 29 pivoted at 30 and operated by a cam 3|, asde- 'of the master, and the tray support 20 may be provided with a mask 59 provided with an opening 60 so that the operator can see which line will be reproduced on a card or sheet passed over scribed in the prior specification referred to.

The cam 3| is adapted to be rocked about its pivot 32 by a lever 33 which carries a roller 34 co-operating with a registration notch 35 in the periphery of a disc 35 fixed to the cylinder shaft.

The lever 33 is pivoted at 31 on the outer side of one of the plates III, and it is acted upon by a spring 38 which engages an abutment '39 on the frame member. As the notch 35 passes the roller 34 the lever is rocked, and this motion causes the spindle 40 of the damping roller used for sheet reproduction tobe moved, and also the tray. l4 which is mounted on the tray support 20.

The tray |4 may be provided with a slide 6| engaging in a guide 62 fixed to the underside of the tray support 20 and providing sufficient friction to retain the tray in any position into which it is moved.

The tray |4 may be of channel section, as shown, and at its rearward end it may be provided with a shield 63 .under which the cards are passed.

The other secondary tray I5 is mounted on a tray support 64 (see Figure 4), and this tray support, which is mounted on the bar H], is movable along the bar and is provided with a lever causes the cam 3| to be rocked. The camis provided with a lever 4| havin a projecting pin 42 which engages in a slot in the lever 33. Further, the shaft 23 is rocked by a lever 44 on the outer side of the frame member ID, this lever having a pin 45 engaging in a slot 46 in the,

lever 33.

Each time the shaft 23 is rocked it moves the tray support pivotally and brings the pressure ondarytrays are one-at each end of themachine or at a selected intermediate position they are not rocked.

The means for imparting automatic step-by- "step movement to the tray M are similar to those described in theprior specification and incorporate the reciprocating rack l1 and the stationary rack I6. Thesupport-of the secondary tray |4 is provided with a downwardly-projecting bracket 65 a portion of which can be engaged in one of two notches 66 in a bar 61 connecting'the end frames of the machine. The lever 65 is pivotally mounted at68 to a block 69 on the tray support 64. The tray l5, which is shaped similarly to the tray I4, is mounted on the top of the tray support, and it is spring-loaded by a spring 10 having one end connected to a pin 1| on the tray and the other end connected to a pin 12 on the tray support. A spring-loaded lever '13 is provided on the tray adapted to engage with any of the notches 14 in a rack 15 on the tray su'ppor I In this vmachine each of the trays l4 and J 5 is provided with its own moistening means incorporating a container 16 for the inoistening liquid and a pipe 11 through which extend a plurality of wicks 18. Each tray support is prothrough a slot and can, be adjusted by a nut, 83 on a pin 84. I

48 to which is pivoted at 49 a lever.50 having an adjustable screw 5| which can be engaged by a bar 52 carried by cranks 53 on the shaft 23 so that when the shaft 23 is rocked the lever 50 is rocked to bring a tooth 54 out of therack I] and into the rack l6. When the reverse move- -ment takes place the tooth 54 again engages the reciprocatin rack ll, to which a constant,

-- tension is applied-by a cable 55, as described in the prior specification, and the tray sup'portof the tray I4 is moved one step towards the lefthand end of the machine, as shown in Figure 3. The tooth-54 is pivoted at 95 to the lever 50-; and the tooth is of ratchet form and is acted upon by a tension spring 96 so that the tray M can always be moved by hand to the right, as

shown in Figure 3, but at certain times is locked against movement to the left. v

The lever 50 is provided with a finger piece 56 so that it can be moved downwardly by hand to bring the tooth 54 clear'of both racks l6 and I! to permit the tray to be moved laterally and freely.

Each of the members 19 is. provided with lugs 85" to which is pivoted a lever 86 carrying a pressure plate 81, also fitted with a moistening member 88; Each of the members 86 is spring-loaded by a spring 89 tending to move the two absorbent members 88 and 8| into contact; Y

Liquid is fed to both absorbent members, one strand of the wick being taken to the lower absorbent member 8| and a plurality of strands of the wick being taken to the other absorbent inember 88.

The machine is provided with' a bar' 90 connecting thetwo members .l0, and ,adjustably mounted on this bar are a plurality of brackets 9| each carryin a pin 92 which forms an adjustable abutment-adapted to engage with inclined surfaces 93 at the corners of the levers 86, the arrangement being such that when the trays l4 and I5 are moved along the machine into certain positions, the pressure plates 80'of the moisteners are raised so asto bring the two absorbent members out of contact. This will occur when the machine is out of use and the two trays l4 and I5 are moved'to the ends of the machine.

The two side members are of course connected at intervals by bars, one of which can be seen The reciprocating rack I1 is spring-loaded to- A pivoted movable stop 96 is provided on the frame operating between two stop pins 9'! and capable of being rotated in an anticlockwise direction, as seen in Figure 4, to lock the rack l'l against endwise movement should it be desired to keep the tray [4 in one position for an indefinite period for taking a number of copies of the same matter from the master.

What I claim then is: g

1'. In a duplicating machine of the kind described having a master cylinder and registration means comprising a cam rotatable with the master cylinder and at least one" feed-in tray for delivering copy sheets to the master cylinder;

' a frame including a pair of spaced parallel side frame members, a bar mounted between said side frame'members, a bracket pivotally mounted upon said bar, a support for a tray mounted on said bracket, a pressure roller carried by said support, and disposed between the master cylinder and the tray so as to engage the master cylinder when the tray is moved towards the cylinder, a shaft mounted for oscillation within the frame and having means for engaging the tray support to cause pivotal movement there- I of about the axis of said bar when the shaft is oscillated, a lever pivotally mounted on one side frame member, and means on said lever adapted to co-operate with the cam of the registration means on the master cylinder, said lever being-- adapted to oscillate said shaft. I

2. In a duplicating machine of the kind described having a master cylinder and registration means comprising a cam rotatable with the master cylinder and at least one feed-in tray for the master cylinder when the tray is moved towards the cylinder, a further bracket fixed on the underside of said support, a lever" pivoted on said further bracket, a shaft mounted for oscillation within the frame, a fiat on said shaft adapted to engage the lever pivoted on the further bracket fixed on the support to cause pivotal movement thereof about the axis of. said bar when the shaft is oscillated, a lever pivotally mounted on one side frame member, and means on said last-mentioned lever adapted to co-operate with the cam of the registration means on the master cylinder, said last-mentioned lever being adapted to oscillate said shaft.

3. In a duplicating machine of the kind described having a master cylinder and registration means comprising a cam rotatable: with the master cylinder and at least one feed-in tray for delivering copy sheets to the master cylinder; a frame including a pair of spaced parallel side frame members, a bar mounted between said side frame members, a pair of spaced brackets pivotally mounted upon said bar, a support for a tray mounted on said brackets, a pressure roller carried by said support, anddisposed between the master cylinder and the tray so as to engage the master cylinder when the tray is moved towards the cylinder,, a further bracket fixed on the underside of said support, a leverpivotedori said further bracket, a' shaft mountedv for oscillation within the frame, saidshaft having portions of circular form and portions with flats adapted to engage the leverpivoted onthefurther bracket fixed on the support, to cause pivotal movement thereof about the axis of said bar when the shaftis-oscillated, a. lever pivotal- 1y mounted on' one side frame member; and

means on said'last-mention'ed l'everadapted tocooperate with the cam of. the registration. means on the master cylinder, said last-mentioned lever being adapted to oscillate said shaft.

4. In a duplicating machine of the kind described having a master cylinder and registra tion means comprising a cam rotatable with the master cylinder and at least oneLfeed-in tray for delivering copy sheets to the master cylinder, a frame including apair of spaced parallel side frame members, a bar mounted between said side frame members, a pair of spaced brackets pivotally mounted upon said bar, a support for a tray mounted on said brackets, a pressure roller carried by said support, and disposed between the master cylinder and the tray so as toengage the master cylinder when the tray is moved towards the cylinder, a further bracket fixed on said support, a lever pivotally mounted thereon, a rack mounted within the frame, a tooth pivoted on said lever adapted to engage said rack; a shaft mounted for oscillation within the frame and having means for engaging the secondary tray support to cause pivotal movement thereof about the axis of said bar when theshaft is oscillated, a crank arm at each end of said shaft, a bar connected between said arms and adapted to engage the said lever, a lever pivotally mounted on one side frame member and means on said last-mentioned lever adapted to co-operate with the cam of the registration means on the master cylinder, said last-mentioned lever being adapted to oscillate said shaft.

5. In a duplicating machine of the kinddescribed having a master cylinder and registration means comprising a cam rotatable with the master cylinder and at least one feed-in tray for delivering copy sheets to the master cylinder, a frame including a pair of spaced parallel side frame members, a bar mounted between said side frame members, a pair of spaced brackets pivotally mounted upon said bar,- a support for a tray mounted on said brackets, a pressure-roller carried by said support, and" disposed between the mastercylinder and the tray so as to engage the master cylinder when the tray is moved towards the cylinder, a first bracket fixed onthe underside of said support, a first lever pivoted on said first bracket, a second bracket fixed on said support, a second lever pivotally mounted on said second bracket, arack mounted within the frame a tooth pivoted on said second leverv adapted to engage said rack, a shaft, a fiat on said shaft adapted to engage said first lever on the support to cause pivotal movement thereof about the axis of said bar' when the shaft is oscillated, a crank arm at each end of said shaft, a .bar connected between said arms and adapted to engage the said second lever, a lever pivotally mounted on oneside frame member, and means on said last-mentioned lever adapted to co-o pcrate.- with the cam of the registration means on scribed" having a master cylinder and registra- I a traymounted on said bracket, a pressureoroller,

carried by said support, and disposed between the master cylinder and the tray so as to engage the master cylinder when the tray is moved towards the cylinder, a secondary tray movably mounted on said support, a shield on said tray below which copy sheets can pass, a shaft mounted for oscillation within the frame and having means for engaging the secondary tray support to cause pivotal movement thereof about the axis of said bar when the shaft is oscillated, a lever 'pivotally mounted on one side frame member,

and means on said lever adapted to co-operate with the cam of the registration means on the master cylinder, said lever being adapted to oscillate said shaft.

"7. In a duplicating machine of the kind de: scribed having a master cylinder and registration means comprising a cam rotatable with the master. cylinder and at least one feed-in tray for delivering copy sheets to the master cylinder; a

frame including a pair of spaced parallel side frame members, a bar mounted between said side frame members, two pairs of spaced brackets pivotally mounted upon saidbar, a support for a tray mounted on each pair of brackets,a tray mounted on each support, spring means acting on one tray for moving said tray transversely of the frame, means for retaining said tray in any one of a number of positions, a, pressure roller the cam of the registration means'on the mastercylinder, said lever being adapted to oscillate said shaft. l

8. In a duplicating-machine of the kind de- 8 the cam of the registration means on the master cylinder, said lever being adapted to oscillate said shaft.

9. In a duplicating machine of the kind described having a master cylinder and registration means comprising a cam rotatable with the master cylinder and at least one feed-in tray for delivering copy sheets to the master cylinder; 2. frame including a pair of spaced parallel side frame members, a bar mounted between said side frame members, a pair of spaced brackets, pivotally mounted upon said bar, a support for a tray mounted on said brackets, a pressure roller carried by said support: and disposed between the master cylinder and the tray so as to engage the master cylinder when the tray is moved towards the cylinder, moistening means on said support comprising a liquid container, two ab sorbent pads, one pad being fixed in relation to the support, a spring loaded pressure plate pivotally mounted on the support having the other pad carried thereon, Wicks for feeding liquid to each pad, and an abutment on the machine frame for automatically moving the pad on the pressure plate away from the other pad at one position of the tray support; a, shaft mounted for oscillation within the frame and having means for engaging the tray support to cause pivotal movement thereof about the axis of said bar when the shaft is oscillated, a lever. pivotally mounted on one side frame member, and means on said lever adapated to co-operate with the cam of the registration means on the master cylinder, said lever being adapted to oscillate said shaft.

10. In a duplicating machine of the kind described having a master cylinder and registration means comprising a cam rotatable with the master cylinder and at least one feed-in tray for delivering copy sheets to the master cylinder; a frame including a, pair of spaced parallel side frame members, a bar mounted between said side frame members a bracket pivotally mounted upon said bar, a support for a tray mounted on said bracket, a pressure roller carried by said support, and disposed between the master cylinder and the tray so as to engagethe master cylinder when the tray is moved towards the cylinder, a shaft mounted for oscillation within the frame and having means for engaging the tray support to cause pivotal movement thereof about the axis of said bar when the shaft is scribed having a master cylinder and registration means comprising a cam rotatable with the master cylinder and at least one feed-in tray for delivering copy sheets to the master cylinder; a frame including a pair of spaced parallel side frame members, a bar mounted between said side frame members, a pair of spaced brackets piv-- a. moistening pad for moistening copv sheets, a shaft mounted for oscillation with the frame and having means for engaging the traysllpport to cause pivotal movement thereof about the axis of said bar when the shaftis oscillated, a lever pivotally. mounted on one side frame member, and

means on said lever adapted to co-operate with oscillated, a lever pivotally mounted on one side frame member, and means on said lever adapted to co-operate with the cam of the registration means on the master cylinder, said lever being adapted to oscillate said shaft, line indicating means on the machine frame and an indicator mask corresponding therewith mounted on the support.

RONALD MAX FORD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

